Annex N
Letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner
for Standards rom Mr Roy Beggs MP
REFERENCE
YOUR
LETTER
OF
3/9/01
3. £560.
4. We are unable to find valuation requested
from R Stirling and Co. and could not obtain a copy as Mr Stirling
retired from business some years ago. However, Valuation and Lands
Agency assessed rental value 1/4/88-31/3/93 at £2340.00.
Rent claimed from Office Costs was lower during this period.
Although the receipt was issued to my wife by R.
Stirling & Co. Income Tax was paid on half of rental income
claimed by me and the other half was paid by my wife for 90-91,
91-92, 92-93, 93-94, 94-95, 95-96, 96-97. The property was occupied
from year to year. The basis was changed to provide me with secure
permanent office accommodation.
5. I have taken independent advice from
Letting Agents and enquired from Northern Ireland Housing Executive
regarding Housing Benefit payable to tenants in Private Sector
accommodation in the course of my constituency work.
The District Valuer's assessment was not challenged.
I know that higher weekly rent is paid for smaller office accommodation
which I have visited. In my opinion the District Valuer undervalued
the property.
8. My accountants for the past thirty years
had been reminding me in recent years to make a will and in 1997
after the sudden death of a close friend and before visiting my
eldest sister in San Diego, I did so and my sons also benefited
at that time.
9. My accountants were provided with a valuation
supplied by Brian A Todd & Co. Copy enclosed.
11. Mrs * * * and Mrs * * * have paid tax on
rent from 41 Station Road, Larne since 1/4/97. All rent allowance
claimed was paid to them.
14. Only No. 8 Glynn Road, Larne was rented as
office accommodation from my wife.
The rent claimed from OCA was as follows
| 1/4/85- 31/3/86 | —
| £1,300.00 |
| 86- 87 | — | £1,300.00
|
| 87- 88 | — | £1,300.00
|
| 88- 89 | — | £1,300.00
|
| 89- 90 | — | £1,460.00 of which £280 was my share for tax purposes in tax year 89-90.
|
The rental valuation was provided by R Stirling &
Co. who negotiated the sale of the property to the Northern Ireland
Housing Executive.
26 September 2001
| 
